Business Leaders Speak Out In Support of Common Core

By

Angela Reighard

Dateline

Columbus, OH

Updated Wed, Aug 27, 2014 6:31 pm

Members of the Ohio business community urged lawmakers to vote against H.B. 597, which aims to repeal the Common Core Initiative.

Both the Ohio business community and members of The Ohio Standard Coalition testified in front the Ohio House Rules and Reference Committee Wednesday. It was the fifth hearing on the Common Core learning standards.

Business leaders said the passage of H.B. 597 would open the door for uncertainity in the education system. They argued the uncertainty would impact the college and career readiness of Ohio graduates.

"Ohio's New Learning Standards are just one aspect to raising expectations for Ohio students that will ensure all Ohio graduates are prepared to enter college or the workforce after high school. Turning back on a set of standards that have been benchmarked with the best-of-the-best would not only be detrimental for those in education, but also for the hundreds of business owners who rely on a highly skilled workforce to compete in a global market," said Michael Harley, Vice President of Government Relations for the Columbus Chamber of Commerce.

Steve Staub, President of Staub Manufacturing, said he is looking for workers he doesn't have to "re-train" and "teach things they should have learned in high school."

"Thirty years ago, we thought about manufacturing...today it is advanced manufacturing...you want, and we need, the most competitive workforce that we can have in order for Ohio to remain economically competitive," he said. "Common Core and Ohio's New Learning Standards help secure the state's future."

Common Core standards are currently in effect in all Ohio schools.

Matt Huffman (R-Lima), co-sponsor of H.B. 597 and Speaker Pro Tempore, said he would like to hold a full House vote for repealing Common Core in November.